Pet Connections, a division of The Arc Ontario, combines the healing power of pets with socialization to provide a unique experience for each person. Pet Connections was created in 2012 as the first of its kind Animal Assisted Intervention (commonly known as pet therapy) resource specifically developed to benefit people with disabilities or other challenges.

Pet Connections expanded in 2017 to include even more community volunteer opportunities by offering Animal Assisted Intervention volunteer certification and membership! Similar to national organizations, Pet Connections offers certified volunteers access to individualized volunteer opportunities, unique trainings and workshops. 

Animal ASSISTED Interventions

Pet Connections offers a range of Animal Assisted Intervention volunteer opportunities in three major categories: Animal Assisted Activities (AAA), Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), and Animal Assisted Education (AAE). 1. The common term to describe these interventions is “pet therapy,” but because of the specific details involved, it may not always be the most clinically accurate definition for the services that our teams provide.

​Community Connections

We partner with regional businesses, hospitals, schools as well as civic organizations and engage with all walks of life – two and four legged! Pet Connections volunteers visit these organizations with certified therapy dogs to share the benefits of working with animals in our community. 

Qualifications, Training & workshops

We welcome all breeds and sizes of dogs that meet our eligibility requirements and graduate to become Pet Connections Certified! We offer a range of environments perfect for a number of canine personalities and have one of the premiere therapy dog training programs in the Northeast.

Volunteer Certification

Pet Connections has literally written a book on Animal Assisted Interventions! We proudly offer certified volunteers access to our network of community volunteer settings with liability coverage and accessibility opportunities.

Grooming & retail

Located at 84 South Main Street in Canandaigua, New York, Bad Dog Boutique is a first of its kind social enterprise offering an integrated working environment for people of all abilities. Boutique staff includes individuals supported by Ontario ARC as assistant groomers, sales associates and BAD DOG Retail manufacturers, creators of local handmade dog products. We are a non-profit social enterprise, dedicated to the comfort of your pet and the satisfaction of our customers. We employ professional groomers with extensive experience and education who are able to provide high quality care to your dog. BAD DOG Boutique offers paid employment opportunities for people with disabilities and all of our grooming packages include the use of our own BAD DOG Shampoo which is bottled, labeled and shipped on-site.
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Bad Dog Retail brand

BAD DOG Retail Brand business is a non-profit social enterprise that operates in the traditional marketplace but has two bottom line measurements for success – financial sustainability and paid employment for underrepresented individuals. BAD DOG Retail Manufacturing provides career development, training, and paid employment for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.  We currently make shampoo, collar-cover bandanas, spritzer, boondoggle ball toys, custom dog tags and a line of organic, human-grade sweet potato and peanut butter biscuits. All proceeds from BAD DOG Retail are re-invested in Pet Connections and BAD DOG programs and services.

"Dogs are our bridge - our connection to who we really are, and more tellingly, who we want to be.”

- Patricia B. McConnell